G N 



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OBSERVATIONS ON CRANIA. 



HY 



JEFFRIES WYMAN, M. D., 

HER8KY I'KOKKSSOK OF ANATOMY IN HAUVAKl) COLLKGK, AND CUKATOR OF 
THK PEABODY MUSEUM OK A RCH.EOl.OG V AM) ETHNOI-OOY'. 



BOSTON: 

PRESS OF A. A. KINGMAN, 

MUSEUM OF THE BOSTON .SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY, 
BKKKELEY STREET. 

1 868. 




Class _Cx>l_:ii_ 
Book ^._W^ 



SMITH SONLVN 1 ) !■: FOSI'I 



OBSERVATIONS ON CRANIA. 



BY 



JEFFRIES WYMAN, M. D., 

HKESEY PROFESSOR OF ANATOMY IN HARVARD COLLEGE, AND CURATOR OF 
THE PEABODY MUSEUM OF ARCHEOLOGY AND ETHNOLOGY. 










BOSTON: 
PRESS OF A. A. KINGMAN, 

MUSEUM OF THE BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY, 
BERKELEY STREET. 

1868. 



CN 7\ 



NOTE. 



This communication was published in the Proceedings of the Boston Society 
of Natural History, Vol. XI., April 15, 1868. 

The writer is indebted to the Smithsonian Institution for the liberality with 
which they have placed at his disposal valuable crania from their collections ; he 
is also under obligations to the Warren Anatomical Museum, to the Boston 
Society of Natiu'al History, to the Boston Society for ^Medical Improvement, and 
to the Museum of Comparative Zoology, for the use of specimens from their 
respective cabinets. The collection of crania from Kauai, also several other 
skulls which have served for comparison, belong to the Peabody Museum of 
American Ai'chaeology and Ethnology. 

In the different tables of this paper, the following method of recording 
measurements has been adopted : 

Weights are in grams ; the cranium was weighed in each case without the 
lower jaw. 

Capacity is in cubic centimeters. 

Lengths are in millimeters. 

The index of breadth, of height, and of the foramen magnum, is in thou- 
sandths of the long diameter ; it is so expressed as a matter of convenience in 
determining the proportions ; there are no measurements less than millimeters. 

The frontal diameter corresponds with the narrowest part of the frontal bone, 
when the skull is viewed from above. 

The frontal arch extends from the upper border of one ear-opening over the 
fi'ontal protuberances to the corresponding point on the other side. 

The parietal arch extends over the vertex between the same points. 

The occipital arch extends over the most prominent part of the occiput be- 
tween the same points. » 

The longitudinal arch extends from the fronto-nasal suture, over the vertex, to 
the hinder edge of the foramen magnum. 

The long diameter extends from the glabella to the most prominent part of the 
occiput, whether this corresponds with the occipital protuberance or not. 

The zygomatic diameter is the greatest breadth across zygomata. 

The sexes have not been described separately. 

Harvakd College, 

Cambridge, Mass., U. S., May, 1868. 



OBSERVATIONS ON CRANIA. 



I. 

MEASUREMENT OF SKULLS. 

TiEDEMANN appears to have been the first to attempt anytliing like 
an extensive comparison of human crania based upon their capacity.^ 
To this end, 1, he weighed the skull without the lower jaw ; 2, 
filled the skull with dried millet seed and weighed again ; 3 , deduct- 
ing the weight of the skull he obtained the weight of the millet seed 
filHng it. Thus a means for determining the comparative size of 
the cranial cavity in different individuals or races was obtained, but it 
failed to give any exact idea of the volume of the brain. The 
method proposed by Sir William Hamilton was more successfiil; he 
filled the cranium with fine sand, which was measured in cubic 
inches; having determined the weight of a cubic inch of sand, he 
multiphed this by the number of cubic inches contained in the skull, 
and making a correction for the difference in the specific gravities of 
brain and sand, the weight of the brain was approximately reached. ^ 
Prof Daniel Tread well has proposed a somewhat similar, but more 
simple method than this; it consists in determining, by any given 

1 Philos. Trans, of the Royal Society of London, 1836, p. 497. 

2 Lects. on Metaphysics and Logic. Edinburgh, 1860. Vol. i., p. 240. 



6 

method, the capacity of the skull in cubic inches, multiplying this by 
the weight of a cubic inch of water, and correcting for the difference 
between the specific gravities of brain and water, we have, as in the 
other case, cubic contents converted into brain weight.^ The method 
proposed by Prof. Treadwell has an advantage in the fact that the 
weight of a cubic inch of water (252.5 grains, or 16.4 grams) has 
been determined with great accuracy, and is a constant quantity; 
while that of a cubic inch of sand varies according to locality, requir- 
ing a fresh determination each time a different kind of sand is used. 
The nature of the material used for measuring the capacity of the 
skull is important, but observers have had recourse to very different 
kinds. Water would unquestionably be the best, but its use is im- 
practicable owing to the great difficulty in making the cranium suffi- 
ciently tight to retain it. The late Dr. Samuel George Morton, 
having used white mustard seed "on account of its spherical form, its 
hardness, and the equal size of its grains," afterwards, at the sugges- 
tion of Mr. J. S. Phillips, substituted No. 8 shot which he found to 
give much more precise results, and with these all the measurements 
recorded in his tables were made.^ Sir William Hamilton sharply 
criticises Dr. Morton's method as "only a clumsy and unsatisfactory 
imitation of mine," asserting that "pure silicious sand was the best 
means of accomplishing the purpose, fi'om its suitable ponderosity, 
incompressibility, equality of weight in all weathers, and tenuity."^ 
Dr. J. Barnard Davis, whose practical knowledge of the subject 
makes his opinion worthy of high consideration, also recommends the 
use of fine sand,^ but instead of measuring he weighs the quantity 
the skull holds. Having ascertained the cubic measure of an ounce 
of sand, the whole quantity is readily converted into cubic inches, or 
by making a correction for difference in specific gravity, into brain 

1 American Journal of Medical Science, in the account of the last illness of the 

Hon. Daniel Webster. January, 1853. 

2 Crania Americana, p. 253. 

3 Op. cit. Vol. I., p. 240. 
* Crania Britannica. 



weight. Various other substances, such as peas, flaxseed, rice, etc., 
have been used. Welcker recommends the grains of husked wheat. 
For a full account of these and of the different methods of comparing 
crania, the reader is referred to the valuable and insti'uctive memoir 
of Dr. J. Aitken Meigs, on the Mensuration of the Human Skull. ^ 

From the following table, the result of careful comparative experi- 
ments, it will be seen that, for exactness, shot are far preferable to 
sand, and that Sir William Hamilton's criticisms are unjust. The 
chief requisites for a good material for measuring crania, are lightness 
and uniformity in the size of the particles or component bodies ; the 
size should be such that they will not escape from the foramina in 
the orbit, and their shape such that they will occupy the smallest 
compass with the least amount of shaking or compression. All these 
conditions were very nearly found in peas, and with the exception of 
Hghtness were realized in shot, the diameter in the second case being 
about 0.18 inch, and in the first 0.23 to 0.25 inch. Shot have the 
advantage over all other materials in their spherical shape, but their 
weight is such that fragile crania would be destroyed by them, though 
they may be safely used with those of ordinary strength. A skull 
having a capacity of ninety cubic inches when filled with shot weighs 
more then twenty pounds, which is altogether too heavy a mass to 
handle when many crania are to be examined. 

With the view of determining the relative value of different mate- 
rials, one and the same skull was measured eight times with each of 
the different kinds mentioned at the head of the columns of the 
table. The cranium was filled with a given material, which was well 
shaken down and compressed until no more could be received. The 
contents were then poured into a measure, care being taken that this 
should be done in each case at a uniform rate, but without being after- 
wards shaken or pressed down. The measure used was a litre, and 
the measurements are noted in cubic centimeters. 

1 North American Med. Chirur. Eeview, Sept. 1861, p. 837. 



8 



' 


Peas. 


Shot. 


Beans. 


Rice. 


Flaxseed. 


Coarse 
Sand. 


Fine 
Sand. 


1 

2 
3 

4 
5 
6 

7 
8 


1190 
1190 
1190 
1195 
1198 
1190 
1195 
1196 


1200 
1205 
1205 
1200 
1200 
1200 
1200 
1205 


1210 
1210 
1210 
1205 
1210 
1200 
1205 
1200 


1220 
1222 
1220 
1220 
1215 
1220 
1225 
1220 


1250 
1250 
1240 
1255 
1250 
1250 
1240 
1245 


1250 
1260 
1250 
1260 
1270 
1250 
1260 
1260 


1315 
1320 
1290 
1290 
1320 
1290 
1350 
1330 


Aver'ge, 
Range, 


1193 

8 


1201.8 
5 


1206.2 
10 


1220.2 
10 


1247.5 
15 


1257.5 
20 


1313 

60 





From this table, it will be seen that the skull being carefully filled 
in each case, its capacity apparently varied according to the differ- 
ent substances used in the measurement; with peas it was 1193 c. c. 
and with fine sand 1313 c. c, or 120 c. c. more. This difference 
depends upon the fact that the substances used, under similar cir- 
cumstances, adjust themselves to the least space with different degrees 
of facility. Shot and peas having a spherical shape the position in 
which they happen to fall is a matter of indifference, since all their 
diameters are equal. The other bodies whose diameters are unequal, 
require more or less of shaking and pressure in order that they may 
be packed in the smallest compass and thus an exaggeration of the 
capacity avoided. With proper care, correct measurements can of 
course be made with either of the materials mentioned in the table, 
and in practice no one would omit to shake down and compress the 
material in the measure to the same degree that he would in the skull. 
The object of the table is only to show the comparative amount of 
compression and adjustment required. To present the subject in 
another way, if a litre is filled with peas, and then shaken, it will 
diminish one per cent, in bulk, while, under similar circumstances, 
coarse sand diminishes fifteen per cent. In the first case the error 



will not exceed one per cent. ; in the second it may be, unless great 
care is taken, much more. Of the different substances used, peas 
and shot, on account of their spherical shape, give the best results, 
and coarse and fine sand the worst, on account of the irregular shape 
of the grains, the small size of these, for the finer the material the 
greater the error, and the roughness of their surfaces. As to peas 
and shot, the last give the most accurate and uniform results, while 
the latter, being less perfect spheres, lead to a slight error, but have 
the advantage in lightness, thus making manipulation more easy. 
Sand has the further disadvantage of filling many angles, canals, and 
foramina not occupied by brain, and therefore of exaggerating the quan- 
tity of this last, and in requiring that the foramina in the orbit should 
be plugged to prevent its escape. This last objection is of little 
moment when a single skull is to be measured, but is considerable when 
the number is large. By using bodies of the size of peas or shot, the 
inconvenience and the exaggeration are both avoided. The differ- 
ence in the table between the amount obtained by measuring with peas 
and shot depends upon difference in the size of the two latter. 

There is still another step to be taken, even if an exact measure- 
ment of the cranium has been made. The brain, as already stated, 
does not fill the cranial cavity; a space, variously estimated, is occu- 
pied by the membranes and the vessels, which should be deducted 
firom the general internal capacity. Welcker estimates this at from 
11.6 to 14 per cent, of the whole cavity, according as the skull varies 
in size. Dr. J. Barnard Davis makes a correction of 10 per cent. 

Brain, not cranial measurement, is, of course, the object of the 
study of the capacity of the skull ; but until some definite results are 
obtained, which will enable the observer to make accurate corrections, 
we must remain content with cranial measurement for the present,; 
and apply the corrections hereafter. 

If we set aside shot as not well adapted to the purpose of measure- 
ment on account of their weight, a material suitable for equally accu- 
rate measurement is still a desideratum. Peas are not of a uniform 
size, though by sifling, uniformity may be approached, and there is a 
certain amount of error growing out of their want of sphericity, though 
2 



10 



this is quite small. Spheres of porcelain of the size indicated above, 
and still better of aluminium, on account of its lightness, would give 
the required qualities for accurate measurement. 

The results obtained by various observers in making comparative 
measurements of crania point to one of the following methods as the 
most desirable. 

I. a. Fill the skull and weigh the contained material. 

b. Convert weight of material into cubic measurement by determining the 

cubic measurement of a gram or an ounce of material, and multiply- 
ing this by the whole number of grams or ounces. With proper 
tables, this would be a quick and easy process, but otherwise a tedious 
one. 

c. Convert weight of material into brain weight by correcting for differ- 

ence in specific gravity. 
II. a. Fill the skull and measure the contained material. 

b. Convert cubic contents into brain weight by multiplying the number 
of cubic inches by the weight of a cubic inch of water (252.5 grains), 
or the number of cubic centimeters by the weight of a cubic centi- 
meter of water (one gram), and allowing four per cent, for the differ- 
ence of the specific gravities of brain and water. 

The second has the advantage of being the more simple process, 
and requires the fewest steps, while the first has the advantage in 
weighing, which is a somewhat more accurate method than measuring. 
The weight, however, must be converted into cubic measure, if we 
compare skulls by their cubic contents. With care, either of them 
are sufficiently correct, and in his choice the observer can and will be 
guided by his likings. 



11. 



POSITION OF THE FORAMEN MAGNUM. 



The fact, to which attention was called by Daubenton, more than a 
century ago,^ that the foramen magnum is situated farther back in 
apes than in man, naturally led anatomists to inquire whether any of 
the human races more nearly approach the apes in this respect than 
the rest. Soemmerino; made the assertion that such is the case 
in the Negro, and his statement has been quite generally repeated by 
subsequent writers. Prichard, however, satisfied himself that such 
is not the case, and after having examined "many Negro skulls," 
states that the foramen corresponds in position with that of the white 
races, viz.: "exactly behind the middle of the antero-posterior diam- 
eter of the basis cranii."^ He, however, finds it necessary, in order 
that this should be the case, to make some allowance for the projection 
of the jaws. We have seen no account of the manner in which the 
measurements on which this opinion rests were made, except that the 
jaws were included when the antero-posterior diameter of the head is 
spoken of. It is obvious that in comparing more or less prognathous 
races, the position of the foramen magnum maybe found to vary, 
although there may be no variation when the cranium proper is alone 
considered. In other words, the bones of the face may vary inde- 
pendently of the cranium. 

1 Sur la Difference du Grand Trou Occipital dans rHomme et dans les autres 
Animaux. M6moires de I'Acad. des Sciences, 1764. 

2 Researches into the Physical History of Man. London, 1851. Vol. i., p. 285. 



12 



The more common method adopted has been to measure from the 
anterior edge of the foramen magnum to the edge of the alveoli 
in the middle of the upper jaw, and from the foramen to the most 
• prominent pomt of the occiput. It seems to us more correct to 
determine the position of the foramen, with regard to the cranium, 
than with regard to the cranium and face, especially as the chief in- 
terest which attaches to the foramen is as an index of the relation of 
the spinal marrow to the cerebral mass. 




Fig. 1. 

In making the measurements on which the folio v/ing table is based, 
we have kept this circumstance in view, and have adopted the follow- 
ing method. The cranium is placed inverted in the instrument repre- 
sented in the accompanying figure (Fig. 1), the long diameter, 
from the glabella to the occiput, having been previously measured 
with the callipers, is made horizontal by bringing the two ends of it 
to correspond with the points of the indices on the graduated uprights, 
and on which the indices are adjusted to the same elevation. Two 
moveable plumb lines, suspended from a wire stretched across the 
upper part of the frame, are then so adjusted that one dropping 
through the foramen magnum touches its anterior border, while the 
other touches the most prominent part of the occiput. The position 
of the foramen is indicated by the ratio of the distance comprised 
between the two plumb lines, to the long diameter of the cranium 



13 



proper. The number expressing tliis ratio may be called the index oj 
the foramen magnum^ thus conforming to the method of expressing the 
ratio of the breadth, or the height to the length. When it is said that 
the index of the foramen magnum is 45.4, it is understood that the 
distance of the anterior edge of the foramen from the most projecting 
part of the occiput, is 45.4 parts of the long diameter, this last being 
considered 100, and both being projected on to the same plane. 

To avoid error, it is important that the long diameter of the head 
should be made as nearly horizontal as possible, for the foramen mag- 
num being on a higher plane, as the long diameter is tilted back- 
wards or forwards, moves through an arc of a circle, which changes 
the position of the point where the vertical cuts the horizontal line. 









33 


1 


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0) 
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S3 


CO 




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So 


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A 
o 




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(M 


r-( 


tH 


CO 


r-l 


i-i 


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Maximum, 


50.0 


47.2 


48.7 


47.5 


45.4 


47.8 


26.8 






1 
39 


Mean, 


45.6 


45.3 


44.4 


41.8 


41.4 


40.9 


22.7 


40 


21 


35.3 


Minimum, 


41.7 


44 


38.7 


36.1 


35.6 


34.8 


17.7 






32 


Kange, 


8.3 


3.2 


10.0 


11.4 


9.8 


13.0 








! 
'i 





The preceding table, in which the number of the skulls of each 
race examined is given at the top of the respective columns, shows 
that there is an actual difference in the position of the foramen mag- 
num in the races compared, and of such an amount as to make it 
desirable to test the result with much larger collections, in order to 
determine more precisely the value of the position of this opening as 
a race character. 

As far as this table can be accepted, it shows that while there is a 
difference between the human races as regards the position of the 
foramen magnum, it is quite small when compared with the difference 
between the human races and the apes; and contrary to Soemmering's 



14 



assertion , the Negro does not make the nearest approach to the latter *, 
and on the other hand, although the negro cranium does not precisely 
agree with that of the white races, as stated by Prichard, it very 
nearly approaches it. It is the North American Indian which has the 
lowest index. 1 

^ The position of the foramen magnum, as will be seen by this table, is very differ- 
ent in the young from what it is in the adult apes, the former approaching much 
nearer to the human races than the latter. We have pointed out in a former vol- 
ume of the Proceedings (ix, p. 203) other striking resemblances between the cra- 
nium of the young gorilla and the adult man, which are much diminished as age 
advances. 



III. 



CRANIA FROM THE ISLAND OF KAUAI. 



Mr. Horace Mann of Cambridge, soon after his return from a bot- 
anical excursion to the Hawaiian Islands, called my attention to the 
fact that large numbers of crania and bones of the natives could be 
had at Kauai. He kindly obtained for me the aid of Mr. Sanford B. 
Dole, at that time residing there, by whom the valuable collection 
described below was made, and to whom I would here express my 
indebtedness for the interest he has taken in the subject. The follow- 
ing letter, written by Mr, Dole after his arrival in the United States, 
will explain the circumstances under which they were found. 

WiLLiAMSTOWN, June 24, 1867. 
Prof. Wyman: — 

Dear Sir : On the southern shore of the Island of Kauai, for about four 
miles, there is a series of low, volcanic hills facing the sea, with precipices 
varying in height from twenty to sixty feet. Between these hills are several 
low sand beaches, from which the sand is ever carried inland by the trades. 
The windward slopes of these hills are covered with white sand of varying 
depth. 

Over this whole extent of sand beaches and hills, human bones are thickly 
scattered, and here it was that I collected the skulls. Ten years ago they were 
much more numerous than now. The wind is constantly uncovering the skele- 
tons, and, when exposed, they are quickly destroyed by the weather and the 
feet of cattle. At the time I speak of, it was easy to find perfect skeletons in 
the exact position in which they were buried. This is now impossible, and even 
perfect crania are becoming more scarce with every year. In olden times the 
natives often made use of the soft sand-banks for sepulture, but the immense 
number that was buried here forbids the idea that it was any common bur^'-ing 
place. The present generation of natives know nothing definite on the subject. 



16 



CRANIA OBTAINED FKOM 













u 

p 

o 

i 
s 

1 




•S 

cS 
Si 


"5 
1— 1 


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5 
be 


5 

oi 


4^ 

be 


O 

X 
% 

M 


o 

xs 

s 


o 
X 


1 


710 


1465 


185 


143 


92 


130 


773 


751 


443 


2 


485 


1280 


170 


141 


90 


130 


829 


764 


435 


3 


757 


1565 


168 


158 


95 


141 


940 


839 


416 


4 


735 


1490 


178 


138 


91 


135 


720 


700 


466 


5 


782 


1360 


172 


146 


91 


139 


848 


808 


430 


6 


700 


1370 


177 


136 


96 


142 


767 


802 


401 


7 


845 


1670 


180 


153 


95 


139 


860 


772 


394 


8 


750 


1560 


177 


148 


95 


141 


836 


796 


331 


9 


562 


1390 


173 


144 


93 


133 


832 


768 


421 


10 


593 


1400 


165 


138 


97 


137 


836 


830 


375 


11 


575 


1240 


169 


132 


94 


134 


777 


786 


413 


12 


645 


1280 


174 


135 


95 


133 


775 


764 


413 


13 


377 


1230 


157 


134 


82 


128 


853 


815 


438 


14 


695 


1170 


160 


132 


87 


131 


824 


818 


406 


15 


677 


1610 


191 


144 


96 


135 


766 


706 


475 


16 


678 


1470 


180 


147 


98 


132 


816 


733 


405 


17 


494 


1380 


167 


148 


93 


132 


886 


790 


413 


18 


495 


1350 


180 


135 


88 


130 


760 


722 


394 


19 


512 


1350 


175 


138 


92 


132 


788 


764 


393 


20 


555 


1160 


165 


134 


90 


127 


812 


769 


396 


21 


663 


1400 


179 


141 


88 


133 


731 


743 


400 


Max'm, 


845 


1670 


191 


158 


98 


142 


940 


839 


475 


Mean, 


640.4 


1397 


174.2 


141.5 


92.7 


134.3 


807 


770.7 


413.5 


Min'ra, 


485 


1160 


160 


132 


82 


127 


720 


700 


331 


Range, 


330 


510 


31 


26 


16 


15 


220 


139 


114 
























Note. — Weight in grams ; capacity in cub. cent. ; lengths in m.m. The Index of 
breadth, height, and of foramen magnum, is in thousandths of tlie long diameter. 
No. 13, being that of a child, is not taken into account in the averages. 



17 



THE ISLAND OF KAUAI 







































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303 


318 


232 


524 


380 


140 


124 


114 


142 


2 


281 


325 


210 


484 


348 


126 


113 


108 


126 


3 


307 


380 


226 


522 


370 


133 


130 


107 


139 


4 


300 


340 


227 


512 


378 


140 


130 


107 


156 


5 


279 


334 


229 


502 


362 


127 


120 


115 


125 


6 


300 


326 


237 


502 


376 


126 


124 


116 




7 


302 


3G0 


223 


528 


390 


133 


135 


117 


138 


8 


302 


352 


220 


510 


374 


135 


131 


106 


133 


9 


295 


333 


220 


504 


308 


135 


119 


112 


128 


10 


283 


340 


238. 


450 


342 


127 


122 


103 


137 


11 


282 


338 


232 


486 


358 


120 


122 


114 


132 


12 


283 


328 


219 


480 


346 


122 


111 


110 


128 


13 


262 


330 


184 


456 


338 


116 


115 


107 


101 


14 


279 


328 


200 


464 


346 


120 


117 


107 


122 


15 


295 


344 


200 


533 


390 


136 


143 


111 


132 


16 


302 


343 


245 


532 


370 


133 


110 


125 




17 


291 


334 


225 


504 


358 


127 


120 


112 


137 


18 


297 


328 


225 


504 


338 


125 


131 


112 


129 


19 


300 


332 


225 


506 


338 


126 


120 


110 


127 


20 


290 


310 


215 


482 


343. 


123 


114 


109 


133 


21 


299 


338 


235 


510 


370 


132 


125 


112 


131 


Max'm, 


307 


380 


260 


533 


390 


140 


143 


125 


142 


Mean, 


290.5 


337 


227 


502 


334.9 


127.9 


123 


111.3 


131.3 


Min'm, 


279 


316 


200 


450 


342 


120 


110 


103 


122 


Range, 


28 


64 


GO 


86 


48 


20 


33 


22 


20 



Note. — Weight in grams ; capacity in cub. cent. ; lengths in m.m. The Index of 
breadth, height, and of foramen magnum, is in thousandths of the long diameter. 
No. 13, being that of a child, is not taken into account in the averages. 



18 

One of their traditions, as near as I can remember, is, that a fight between two 
large fleets of canoes took place off the coast, and that the defeated party was 
driven ashore at this place, and many of them killed. A second tradition is 
this ; a tribe passing along the coast in canoes, and having landed in a secluded 
little cove, which is now pointed out, to bathe and refresh themselves, a rival 
tribe charged down from the hills around and cut off almost the whole party. 

Those who have studied the subject, I think, give to the great pestilence, Mai 
Ahulau, which raged through the islands soon after their discovery, the credit 
of peopling this and other similar graveyards. Infant skulls are sometimes 
found, and also skulls that appear as if they had been pierced by spears, or frac- 
tured with clubs. The skulls which I collected for you were some of them 
above, and some below, the surface of the sand. 

Yours truly, 

S. B. Dole. 

The collection Is the more valuable, from the fact that the crania 
were all obtained from the same place, and from an island not com- 
monly mentioned in the catalogues. Dr. J. Barnard Davis, in his 
Thesaurus Craniorum, out of one hundred and thirty-nine Kanaka 
skulls, does not mention one from Kauai. They are nearly all adult, 
No. 13 being the only one belonging to a child. As far as they go, 
they do not afford evidence of having been killed in battle, as they 
bear no marks of injuries inflicted by weapons. A few show signs of 
disease, as if they had been the seat of periosteal inflammation. 

The average internal capacity, 1397 c. c, is 127 c. c. less than that 
of the average European, 1524 c. c, according to the tables of Mor- 
ton. The largest is 1671 c. c, or a little less than one hundred and 
two cubic inches. The average capacity of one hundred and twenty- 
one Kanaka skulls from Hawaii and Oahu, as stated by Dr. Davis in 
his Thesaurus, is 89.6 cubic inches, or 1466.7 c. c. As the average 
index of breadth is 80.7, the skulls, as a whole, must be considered 
as brachycephalic. Nevertheless some of them have the dolichoceph- 
aUc proportions strongly marked ; for while No. 7 has an index of 
85.0, and No. 3 of 94.0, No. 4 has an index of only 72.0. We have 
here the same result as that arrived at in the study of other races, 
especially in the North American Indians, as seen in the extended and 
careful comparisons of Dr. Meigs, showing the necessity of having as 
large a number of crania as possible for comparison, and the worth- 



19 

lessness of observations made on a single skull. As each race exliibits 
a wide range of variation in each of its characters, a given race can 
be rightly defined only when its predominant features, seen in many 
individuals, have been ascertained. 

The index of the foramen magnum is oidy 41.2, and this opening is 
therefore much farther back than in the European races, and, as seen 
in the table, p. 13, has nearly the position of that of the North Amer- 
ican Indians. In more than one half of the specimens the portion of 
the occiput surrounding the foramen is somewhat raised (the skull 
being inverted), giving it a fimnel-shaped appearance. 

More than one-half of the crania have the peculiarity in the opening 
of the nostrils, to which attention was first called by Dr. John Neil 
of Philadelphia, as characterizing the skulls of negroes, viz.: the 
deficiency of the sharp ridge which forms the lower border of this 
opening, and in the place of it a rounded border, or an inclined 
plane. This feature is, however, found very frequently in difierent 
races, but more rarely in Europeans than the others. The ridge in 
question is always absent in the apes. 

In many of the crania the occiput was somewhat flattened, but the 
outlines form regular curves, and the usual signs' that the flattening is 
artificial are not seen. 

Four of the crania have small bony nodules, varying from one to 
three in number, developed in the auditory meatus, which in one case, 
with the integument, must have quite closed it. Dr. J. Barnard 
Davis informs me that similar nodules were discovered by Prof. 
Seligmann of Vienna, in ancient Peruvian crania, and have been 
observed by himself and Welcker in other cases.^ They appear, 
however, to be the most common in the ancient Peruvians and the 
inhabitants of the Pacific Islands. 

There is only one instance in which the incisors have been punched 
out, while in the one hundred and forty crania from Hawaii and Oahu, 
described by Dr. Davis, more than one-third had been so deformed. 
A few anomalies of the teeth are noticeable, as in some cases the 

1 See Thesaurus Craniorum. 



20 

small size, in others the retention in the alveoli, and in others the 
absence of the wisdom teeth. In one case a praemolar was rotated so 
as to present its two cusps in a line from before backwards, instead of 
from side to side. 



IV. 



CRANIA OF TSUKTSHI. 



The writer is indebted to the liberality of the Smithsonian Institu- 
tion for the opportunity of examining the crania described below. 
The first five are those of the Wanderinoj or Reindeer Tsuktshi, and 
were all obtained from the Asiatic side of Behring's Straits. Tlu-ee are 
from Plover Bay, which is just west of Cape Choukotski, and were 
collected by IVIr. William H. Dall, a zealous explorer, and one of the 
Scientific Corps of the Western Union Telegraph Company; the 
fourth is from Arikamcheche Island (Kayne Island of the United 
States Coast Survey Map of 1867), and was obtained by Dr. William 
Stimpson, one of the naturalists of the North Pacific Exploring Ex- 
pedition, under Com. Rodgers; the locality of the fifth is not stated. 

For the purpose of comparison, there are given in the table the 
measurements of five crania from the Yukon River ,^ three of which are 
Mahlemuts, also collected by Mr. Dall, of eleven from California, 
and of eight Flatheads from Washington Territory and Oregon, 
nearly all of which belong to the collections of the Smithsonian Insti- 
tution. Besides the measurements of the above, I have added those 
of an Esquimau skull from Labrador, belonging to Dr. Luther 
Parks, of casts of the crania, one each, of an Esquimau and Tun- 
guse in the Museum of Comparative Zoology in Cambridge, and of 
twenty crania of Esquimaux from the eastern and western shores of 
Arctic America and from Greenland. These last are the average of 
measurements extracted from the Thesaurus Craniorum of Dr. Davis. 



22 



■ ■ - 
Race. 


6 


,a 
so 

1 


o 

o 


bo 

CJ 

1-1 


43 
9 


Breadth 

of 
Frontal. 




Index of 
Breadth. 


Index of | 
Height. 


Index of 
Foramen 
Maguum. 


Tsuktshi, 


4538 


560 


1425 


171 


141 


102 


133 


824 


777 


450 


<< 


4612 


450 


1400 


176 


137 


'94 


134 


778 


7G1 


443 


(( 


7117 


860 


1570 


180 


148 


95 


132 


822 


733 


473 




7118 


625 


1490 


177 


135 


103 


130 


762 


734 


4i0 




7120 


610 


1455 


177 


147 


101 


125 


830 


706 


457 


Mean, 




621 


14G8 


176.2 


141.6 


99 


130.8 


803.2 


742.2 


453.4 


Tunguse, 








190 


148 






778.9 






Esquimaux, 






















Mean, 20 crania , 






1475 


178 


133 




139 


720 


758 




Cranium from 
Dr. Tarks, 




580 


1440 


183 


133 


94 


131 


754 


715 . 


437 


j Cast, 








192 


134 






690 






Mean 






1457.5 


184.3 


134.5 




135 


723.3 


736.5 




Yukon Itiver, 


7530 


710 


1460 


183 


140 


101 


138 


765 


743 


3ri 


<( 


7531 


735 


1240 


176 


132 


91 


131 


750 


744 


409 


<< 


7532 


545 


1190 


172 


129 


92 


127 


750 


733 


395 


<( 


7533 


781 


1380 


. 179 


134 


94 


130 


748 


726 


424 


<< 


753i 


445 


1200 


169 


132 


83 


123 


781 


727 


414 


Mean, 




643.2 


1294 


175.8 


133.5 


92.8 


129.5 


758. 8 


735.6 


402.6 


Mean of eleven 
Californiaus, 




551.1 


1259.2 


170 


150.5 


93.5 


120.8 


833.4 


717.5 


422 


Mean of eight 
Flat Heads, 




582.1 


1330 


158.8 


152 


98 


118.5 


954 


784.4 


424 


. 






Tsu. 


Tun. 


Cal. 


Esq. 


Esq. 


Cal. 


Tsu. 


Tsu. 








Esq. 


Esq. 


Tun. 


Tsu. 


Tsu. 


Tsu. 


Esq. 


Esq. 








Yuk. 


Tsu. 


Tsu. 


Yuk. 


Yuk. 


Tun. 


Yuk. 


Cal. 








Cal. 


Yuk. 
Cal. 


Esq. 
Yuk. 


Cal. 


Cal. 


Yuk. 

Esq. 


Cal. 


Yuk. 



* Numbers refer to Catalogues of the Smithpri-.i.in Inslitutiori. Wciglit in gram;-; capacit)- in cubic 
CPntimetres, otlier measurements in millimetre;;. 



23 



Kace. 


6 


Frontal j 
A roll. 


II 


1^ 

o 








Cm 


c'E3 

o o 


Zygomat- 
ic diame- 
ter. 


Touktslii, 


4538 


3}0 


813 


259 


330 


503 


124 


112 


123 


146 


<< 


4512 


285 


310 


238 


366 


493 


130 


130 


107 


131 


<( 


7117 


292 


358 


277 


384 


530 


130 


125 


132 


132 


" 


7118 


305 


316 


249 


332 


508 


134 


118 


110 


140 


<< 


7120 


30O 


323 


285 


336 


530 


125 


12G 


115 


143 


Mean, 




203.5 


325.2 


261.6 


337.6 


514.4 


128.0 


122.2 


117.4 


1^.4 


TuDguse, 




297 


310 


295 


376 


538 


130 


125 


119 


148 


Esquimaux, 






















Slean, 20 crania 










372 


513 


124 


124 


122 


135 


Cranium from. 
Dr. i'arks, 




290 


316 


262 


330 


512 


126 


115 


121 


142 


Csxit, 




303 


324 


281 


382 


530 


127 


130 


126 


133 


Mean, 




296.5 


320 


271.5 


371.3 


518.3 


126.6 


123 


123 


137.6 


Yukon Hiver, 


7530 


307 


326 


240 


372 


514 


130 


130 


110 


140 


" 


7531 


284 


304 


265 


354 


492 


124 


119 


112 


130 


(1 


7532 


280 


280 


232 


343 


486 


112 


112 


122 


132 


" 


7533 


291 


314 


253 


370 


480 


127 


111 


181 


129 


- 


753* 


260 


282 


228 


340 


500 


113 


120 


104 


129 


Mean, 




285.5 


301.2 


243.6 


350.4 


495.6 


121.8 


118.5 


115.8 


132 


Mean of eleven 
Californians. 




260.1 


312.4 


256 


346 


495 


117.4 


111.2 


114.7 


134.9 


Moan of eight 
Fiatheads, 




287 


337.7 


245.5 


3oo 


493 


117 


105.7 


108 


136 






Tun. 


Tsu. 


Esq. 


Tun. 


Tun. 


Tun. 


Tun. 


Esq. 


Tun. 






Tsu. 


Esq. 


Tsu. 


Tsu. 


Esq. 


Tsu. 


Esq. 


Tun. 


Tsu. 






Esq. 


Cal. 


Cal. 


E^^q. 


Tsu. 


Esq. 


Tsu. 


Tsu. 


Esq. 






Yuk. 


Y'uk. 


Y"uk. 


Y^uk. 


Y^uk. 


Yuk. 


Y'uk. 


Y"uk. 


Cal. 






Cal. 






Cal. 


Cal. 


Cal. 


Cal. 


Cal. 


Yuk. 



* Numbers refer ^o Catalogues of the Smithsonian Institution. Weight in grams ; capacity in cubic 
centimetres, other measureraenls in millimetres. 



24 

The crania of Tsuktshi are so rare, that notwithstanding the small 
number, I have ventured to make comparison between these and 
crania from the arctic shores, and northwest portions of America. 
The crania from the Yukon River have an especial interest, since they 
come from a region so nearly adjoining that occupied by the Esqui- 
maux, which last, of all the American races, most nearly resemble 
Mongolians. 

Arranging the crania in three groups, viz.: the Tunguse and the 
Tsuktshi, the Esquimaux, and the North American Indians, it will 
be seen by an inspection of the table that the Tunguse, Tsuktshi and 
Esquimaux more nearly resemble each other, than either of these do 
the North American Indians. The largest number of maxima are 
found in the first and second groups, and of minima in the third. 
In the lower part of the table, under each of the different heads, the 
races are arranged in the order of the numerical superiority of their 
respective measurements. In the case of casts, several measurements 
were necessarily omitted. 

The Californians are the most brachycephalic, and the Esquimaux 
the most dolichocephalic. The Esquimaux exceed all others in 
height, and all except the Tunguse in circumference. The Tsuktshi 
crania are the most capacious. 

The position of the foramen magnum in the Tsuktshi, as will be 
seen by the table, p. 13, is very nearly the same as in the white races, 
the index being 45.3; in the single Esquimau in which it was deter- 
mined it is 43.7, in the Californians it is 42.2, and in the Yukon 
River Indians only 40.2. 

Excepting the crania cited from the Thesaurus Craniorum of Dr. 
Davis, where the peculiarity is not considered, all the others but four 
are deficient in the sharp ridge of bone which is so distinct in Euro- 
peans, and forms the boundary between the floor of the cavity of the 
nostrils, and the outer surface of the upper jaw. 

The crania of the Flatheads exceed in capacity those fi^ora the 
Yukon River and California, showing that the artificial distortion does 
not necessarily diminish their size. The other measurements of this 



25 

group serve to show the effects of compression, but are not suited for 
close comparisons with the other races. 

Among the crania from CaHfornia are two taken from a cave, 
incrusted both on the outer and inner surface with stalagmite. At- 
tention to the locality was directed by Mr. George Gibbs of Wash- 
ington, and it was afterwards examined by Prof. J. D. Whitney, 
State Geologist, who saw nothing to indicate great antiquity of the 
remains. They show no peculiarities in which they are distin- 
guished from other crania from California. A complete series of 
measurements could not be given without removing the stalagmite, 
which incrusted nearly the whole surface of each. 
4 



V. 



SYNOSTOTIC CRANIA. 



Deformities of the head accompanying a premature closing of the 
sutures, were first treated of at length by Virchow, Lucae and 
Welcker in Germany, and subsequently by Drs. Minchin, Turner, 
Thurnham, J. Barnard Davis and Prof. Huxley in England.^ The 
three chief kinds recognized are, 1st, the long head, accompanying 
the closure of the sagittal suture ; 2d, the short and high head, associ- 
ated with the closure of the coronal and lambdoidal sutures; and, 3d, 
the curved head, in which these last sutures are closed only on one side. 
The crania here described belong to the first group, and are all long. 

I. This cranium belonged to the collection of Dr. Gaspard Spurz- 
heim, and is deposited in the Anatomical Museum of Harvard 
College at Cambridge. Nothing is known of its history. It came 
from a subject somewhat advanced in life; the bones have a dense 

1 For a full discussion of the subject by English authorities see the following 
articles : — 

On Cranial Deformities, and more especially on the Scaphocephalic Skull. By 
William Turner, M. B. Nat. Hist. Review, Vol. iv., 1864, p. 88. 

On Synostosis of the Cranial Bones Regarded as a Eace-Character in one Class 
of Ancient British and in African Skulls. By John Thurnham, M. D. Nat. Hist. 
Review, Vol. v., 1865, p. 242. 

On Synostotic Crania Among Aboriginal Races of Men. By J. Barnard Davis, 
M. D. "With eleven plates. London, "Williams and Norgate. 

Thesaurus Craniorum. By Joseph Barnard Davis, M. D. London, 1857. 

Prof Thomas H. Iluxley in Laing & Huxley's Prehistoric Remains of Caith- 
ness. London, 1866. 



27 



texture, the coronal suture is partially, and the sagittal anil lanibdoi- 
dal sutures are wholly closed. The lengthening of the head has taken 
place mostly forwards, as appears from the fact that the forehead is 
very protuberant, and the index of the foramen magnum is only 40.3. 
Viewed from above, the cranium is somewliat contracted behind the 
coronal suture, and the whole is slightly curved with a concavity to 
the left side. The occipital condyles are anomalous, that on the right 
being almost flat, except at the outer edge, where it is vertical, and 
the left being divided into two distinct facets, also flat, which are on 
different planes; the ordinary movements of the head on these sur- 
faces must have been almost null. 

II. From the Warren Museum in the Harvard Medical College, 
is also from a somewhat aged subject. The sagittal suture is wholly, 
and the coronal, lambdoidal and squamous sutures are partially closed. 
The index of the foramen magnum is 43.9, showing that the head has 
been lengthened forwards more than 
backwards. A third articular sur- 
face exists on the middle of the 
fore-edge of the foramen magnum, 
and corresponds with the apex of 
the odontoid process of the axis. It 
is a smooth, oval depression, with 
slightly raised borders, and has the 
appearance of having been covered 
with an articular cartilage ; it is sup- 
ported by a very slight elevation of 
bone, as in the cases of condTjlus 
tertius described by Dr. Halbertsma. 
in Fig. 2, this cranium is remarkable for the manner in which the 
lateral walls slope tov/ards the vertex. 

III. From the Anatomical Museum at Cambridg-e. This cranium 
belonged to a dissecting room subject, is that of an adult, is of a 
rough texture, but its deformity is not strongly marked. The sagittal 
suture is wholly closed, as is also the left squamosal, and, in addition, 




Fig. 2. 
When viewed from behind, as 



28 



the spheno-parietal, the spheno-frontal, the left spheno-squamosal, 
and the lower ends of the coronal. The others are open, though 
showing a tendency to close. When viewed from the base, the cra- 
nium is slightly curved, having a concavity on the left side, that is, to 
the side where the sutures are most extensively closed. 

IV. Cranium of a child from the Spurzheim collection. The age 
is presumed to be somewhat under seven years, but the process of 
dentition has gone on somewhat irregularly, and leaves the precise 
age doubtful. The sagittal suture is closed, except for about three- 
fourths of an inch at the fore part ; the frontal suture is open at its 
hinder part to about the same extent. In the line of the union of 
the parietal bones is a slight ridge, and on each side of this a series 
of vascular openings and channels, which have a radiated arrange- 
ment, and which give an appearance as if the two parietals had been 
ossified from a single centre. All of the other sutures were open. 
The index of the foramen magnum is 51.8, which shows that the head 
has been lengthened backwards more than forwards. The side walls 
of this skull slope towards the vertex, but to a less degree than in the 
preceding specimen. 







\ "^N 



^"T-^ 







/ 






'^jsr j 







Fig. 3. Fig. 4. 

V. From the Warren Museum, and supposed to be from a subject 
about three years old, and is represented in Figs. 3 and 4. The milk 



29 



teeth are fully developed, but the crowns of the permanent incisors 
are deeply buried in their alveoli. The sagittal suture is wholly ob- 
literated; the median ridge and the vascular openings, with the 
peculiar radiated appearance described in the preceding specimen, as 
also the appearance of a median centre of ossification, exist here in a 
marked degree. This cranium is remarkable for its great length, the 
index of breadth being only 62.6. The foramen magnum is central, 
the increase in length having taken place equally forwards and back- 
wards. This also appears from the equal protuberance of both fore- 
head and occiput. The occipital region presents outwardly, as it were, 
a cast of the cerebellum, two bulgings corresponding with the lateral 
lobes, project downwards beyond the tips of the mastoid processes. 
The hinder lobes of the cerebrum can also be traced in a similar way, 
and form a third bulging in the outer surface of the occiput. 

VI. Cranium of a fffitus from the Warren " Museum, repre- 
sented in Figs. 5 and 6, of a little less than one-half the natural size, 



Fig. 5. 







Fig. 6. 



linear measurement. In the preparation of the skull the bones were 
somewhat displaced in consequence of the extent to which decompo- 
sition had taken place, but are drawn as if in their natural position. 
Dr. J, B. S. Jackson, however, observed, when the head was still 



30 

recent, that the defoi'mity similar to that of the preceding specimens 
was quite marked. The measurements and proportions given below 
are, we believe, approximately exact. The lengthening of the head 
is almost wholly forwards, the index of the foramen magnum being 
only 32.2. The anterior fontanelle is largely open, and is prolonged 
between the frontals by a space with parallel sides twenty millime- 
ters in breadth, extending nearly to the nasals. The sagittal suture 
is completely obliterated in the middle portion for the space of 
nearly an inch. Fig. 6; for the rest of its extent it is open, the 
two parietals approaching each other quite closely; in the fore-part 
the edges are smooth and straight, and in the hinder somewhat 
serrated, but do not touch. The frontals are very protuberant, and 
on the inside of each, corresponding very nearly with the frontal 
eminences, are two marked depressions, causing the bone to appear 
diaphanous in some parts, but, in others, extending quite through; 
each of these is surrounded by a ridge of dense bone quite unusual 
in a foetal cranium. These deformities may be compared to the dig- 
ital impressions of the adult crania. 

• yn. To the above instances may be added the folloM'ing interesting 
case communicated to me by Dr. W. G. Wheeler of Chelsea, Mass. A. 
B. was born with the fontanelles closed; -when nine months old she had 
severe convulsions, after which her health remained feeble. When 
three years old the convulsions returned, with symptoms of eifusion; 
these were at length followed by gradual recovery; she is now (1867) 
seven years old, healthy, mind clear and memory good. The chief 
measurements of the head are as follows : — 

Length 187 millimeters. 

Breadth 133 " . 

Ch'cumference 308 " 

Parietal arch, "over top of head from ear 

to ear" 270 " 

Index of breadth 71 

The deformity, it will be seen, is not great, but the photograph of 
the patient which Dr. Wheeler sent with the notes of the case, shows 
the elongated form characteristic of synostotic skulls. 



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32 



From a comparison of the above cases, it will be seen that the 
crania from the foetal period, childhood, the adult and advanced 
periods of life, present a similar deformity, viz. : lengthening of the 
head attended with the closure of certain sutures. The closure of 
the sagittal suture is, however, the only constant condition. The the- 
ory of the deformity we are describing is as follows : increase in the 
length of the head, during growth, depends chiefly upon the deposit 
of new bone on the edges of the bones in the direction of the sagittal 
suture ; if this be prematurely closed, increase of breadth being lim- 
ited, the brain, as it continues to grow in order to be accommodated, 
compels an increase of the bones in other directions, especially in 
length ; consequently there results a protuberant forehead and occi- 
put, one or both. 

If this theory be correct, then it seems clear that the closure of the 
sagittal suture in the above crania must have taken place at very 
different ages, otherwise their breadths would have been more uniform. 
In fact, the breadths of the first three differ but little from the normal 
quantity, measuring 135 instead of 142 m. m., while their length is 
obviously increased, this being 200 instead of 180 m. m. 

It appears that the lengthening of the head depends chiefly upon 
the abnormal growth of the parietal bones, the others remaining 
scarcely altered, as will be seen by the following average measure- 
ments, in which eleven normal adult crania are compared with the 
three adult synostotic crania described above. 



Frontal. 


Parietal. 


Occipital. 


125 m. m. 


124 m. m. 


IIT m. m, 


129.2 " 


142 " 


119 " 



Normal 
Synostotic 

The anomaly, therefore, seems to pertain chiefly to the parietal 
region of the skull. Is it connected with an anomalous condition of 
the corresponding portion of the brain ? 

The peculiar appearance noticed in crania IV and V, consisting of 
radiating canals and foramina, would seem to give support to the 
statement of Von Baer, that in synostotic crania, the two parietals had 
but one centre of ossification. The fact that in IV the sagittal suture 
remains partially open at either end, and that in VI the parietals are 



it Lt 



united for so short a distance, seems to render it quite certain that 
they were originally separate. 

The height of the crania is much below the average, being only 
120.6 m. m., while according to Dr. Davis, the average height of one 
hundred and twenty-eight normal crania, consisting of those of Eng- 
lish, Netherlanders, Chinese, Negroes, etc., was 142.6 m. m. This 
fact brings to notice a point which is worthy of careful attention. 
According to theory, the height of the head depends upon the growth 
of bone in the lateral sutures, viz. : the spheno-frontal, spheno-parietal 
and the squamosal. It appeare that synostotic crania, attended with 
lengthening, are characterized by insufficient height. Nevertheless 
the obliteration of the sutures just mentioned is not constant; they 
are freely open in IV, V and VI, in which the longitudinal deformity 
is very strongly marked. AVliy is the compensatory growth only in 
longitudinal direction, when, as it would seem, the conditions favoring- 
it upwards exist as well. Even in the foetus, VI, the sagittal suture is 
only partially closed, while all the others are normally open, and yet 
the lengthening has become extreme. Is it certain that the closing 
of the suture precedes the deformity, and is therefore the cause of it? 

The average capacity of the adult synostotic crania, 1486 c. c, is 
somewhat below the normal average (1524 c. c), according to 
Morton's tables, but only 3 c. c. less than that of thirty-nine English 
crania (1489 c. c), according to D?tvis. The average of eight 
Scaphocephalic crania in Dr. Thurnham's table is 1532 c. c, or 8 c. c. 
above the normal capacity, according to Morton. There is, on the 
whole, no marked deviation from the normal quantity. 
5 



.' ■^-fc-L.'v' 



VI. 



NEANDERTHAL SKULL. 



In connection with synostotic crania we will offer a single remark 
with regard to this much discussed cranium. Among the different 
views brought forward to account for its peculiar shape, is that of 
synostosis, which has been urged by Dr. Davis, and denied by Prof. 
Huxley. There is one fact which we have not seen noticed in the 
discussion of the question at issue, though it has doubtless been ob- 
served, and in which the Neanderthal differs from common synostotic 
skulls. From what has been stated on p. 32, it appears that in all 
of the latter, there described, the increased length of the head is 
chiefly due to the extension of the parietal bones from before back- 
wards, the frontal and occipital being but slightly augmented. In the 
Neanderthal skull, the length of the parietals is only 115 m. m., 9 
m. m. helow the average, while in the synostotic crania it is 142 m. m., 
or 18 m. m. above the average. How far this has any real bearing 
on the nature of the deformity of the Neanderthal cranium will 
depend upon the extent to which, when large collections are examined, 
the extension of the parietals and consequent lengthening of the 
sagittal suture is found to be a constant attendant on synostosis. As 
far as our own observations go they are constant; and consequently 
the fact that in the disputed skull, the parietals are shorter than the 
average, is opposed to the theory of synostosis. 



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